Virat Kohli Hints at Retirement from Test Cricket; Has Been in Talks with BCCI Since April
In a major revelation, Virat Kohli has reportedly indicated his intention to retire from Test cricket. According to sources, he has been discussing this matter with BCCI officials since April.
Reports suggest that during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli dropped multiple hints about the possibility of stepping away from Test cricket. However, with the team already under pressure, many dismissed it as a momentary frustration, according to a Times of India report.
Kohli has been in private discussions with BCCI since April regarding his retirement plans.
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During the recent tour of Australia, Kohli managed only 190 runs in nine matches — with 100 of those runs coming in a single innings.
A stellar career spanning more than ten years would come to an end if he follows through on his plan. Kohli has played 123 Tests, including 68 as captain.
In Australia, Kohli seemed to struggle after the first Test and was far from the high standards he had previously set on Australian soil.
When he scored an unbeaten 100 in the Perth Test in November, it was his first Test century since July 2023. For perspective, back in 2019, he scored a career-best 254* against South Africa in Pune and had a Test average of 55.1. That average has now dipped to 32.56 over the last two years.
According to the report, Test talks were put on hold following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as the team’s attention turned to the forthcoming Champions Trophy.
Despite the recent dip in form, some reports claim that the Indian team management still values Kohli’s experience, especially for the crucial upcoming tour of England — which will be played under a new captain.
Before discussions about the England series began, Kohli approached the BCCI and expressed his desire to retire from Tests.
The team management, who had him in their plans for the England series, was apparently taken aback by this decision. But Kohli seems to have made up his mind.
Interestingly, it was in England back in 2018 where Kohli had one of his finest Test performances. He topped the run charts across both teams with 583 runs in five Tests at an impressive average of 59.3.
